Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Comac has collected a new order for 30 C919s from China Merchants Bank, the company announced at Airshow China in Zhuhai on Tuesday. In a statement released to wire services, Comac claims now to have collected orders for 430 of the new narrowbodies from 17 companies, primarily from China. One U.S.-based leasing company—GE Capital Aviation Services--signed an MOU for 10 of the 156- to 168-seat airplanes at the 2010 Zhuhai show. Two years later, at the same show, <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/airshow-china/2012-11-13/comac-sells-more-c919s-signs-liebherr-partner">it ordered another 10</a>.

 


Officially scheduled to fly for the first time by the end of 2015, the C919 should have made its first flight this year under Comac’s previous development schedule. Under current certification plans, the program appears unlikely to yield an airplane ready for delivery to a launch customer until 2018.

 


Assembly of the first prototype officially got under way in Shanghai in mid-September, when Comac announced the arrival of the middle and aft section of the fuselage. On October 15 the company announced the arrival of the nose section, and on October 30 the forward section of the aft fuselage. That part embodies the first Chinese attempt to use composite materials on a large area of a commercial airframe’s main structure.

 


Engine testing got under way on October 6, when CFM partners GE and Snecma ran the Leap-1C turbofan for the first time.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Comac Takes Order for 30 C919s

Company claims order tally now totals 430.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions 

ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Global business aircraft activity up 4.8% YOY in June

Business Aircraft Flight Activity Sees Boost in June

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

Archer Aviation Launches eVTOL Aircraft Flight Trials in Abu Dhabi

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Startups are finding new ways to reintroduce regional air transport.

New Aircraft and Flight Booking Technology Could Reinvent Regional Air Services

Amy Wilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Oshkosh exhibit to span jets, props, and electric aircraft

Textron Aviation Plans Record AirVenture Static Display

Sarah Rose

New facility accelerates cabin design and testing

Bombardier Opens Montreal Innovation and Design Center

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Aircraft

ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft

Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions

Business Aircraft Flight Activity Sees Boost in June

Global business aircraft activity up 4.8% YOY in June

Archer Aviation Launches eVTOL Aircraft Flight Trials in Abu Dhabi

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

New Aircraft and Flight Booking Technology Could Reinvent Regional Air Services

Startups are finding new ways to reintroduce regional air transport.

Textron Aviation Plans Record AirVenture Static Display

Oshkosh exhibit to span jets, props, and electric aircraft

Bombardier Opens Montreal Innovation and Design Center

New facility accelerates cabin design and testing

Air One eVTOL Is Poised for Both Uncrewed and Private Pilot Roles

Early use cases include logistics operations with expanded cargo volume

Embraer’s Praetor Deliveries Take Off in 1H2025

OEM increased its midsize bizjet deliveries by 86% year over year in the first six months

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